OLGA project at ALICE Innovation Theatre

Project overview

OLGA is a Horizon 2020 project focused on reducing the environmental impact of the aviation sector through innovative and sustainable airport solutions.

The project takes a holistic approach to transforming airports into greener, more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible hubs. By addressing emissions, energy consumption, air quality, biodiversity, and waste management, OLGA supports the transition towards climate-neutral aviation.

Through large-scale demonstrations across major European airports, OLGA develops and validates solutions that can be replicated across Europe and beyond.

Objectives

OLGA aims to:

• Reduce CO₂ emissions from airport and ground operations
• Improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy use
• Enhance air quality both airside and landside
• Preserve and improve biodiversity at and around airports
• Promote circular economy practices and waste reduction

Strengthen intermodality and low-carbon airport-city connections

What the project does

OLGA develops and demonstrates innovative solutions across the entire aviation value chain, combining technological, operational, and environmental approaches.

The project focuses on three main areas:

Flight operations
 Decarbonising ground operations through electrification, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen solutions, and optimisation of aircraft movements.

Passenger and cargo transport
 Promoting low-carbon mobility solutions for airport access, improving intermodality, reducing waste, and increasing energy efficiency in terminals.

Community and territories
 Improving air quality, reducing environmental impacts, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening integration with surrounding communities.

Demonstration sites

OLGA solutions are implemented and validated across four European airports:

• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (lighthouse airport)
• Milan Malpensa Airport
• Zagreb Airport
• Cluj-Napoca Airport

These demonstrations ensure real-world validation and scalability of solutions.

Key innovations

OLGA develops and tests a wide range of innovations, including:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) integration and traceability
• Hydrogen production and use for airport operations
• Electrification of ground support equipment
• Low-carbon taxiing and operational optimisation
• Smart and energy-efficient airport infrastructure
• Circular solutions for materials and waste management
• Air quality monitoring and emissions analysis
• Biodiversity enhancement measures

Expected impact

OLGA delivers significant environmental, economic, and societal benefits:

• Reduction of aviation-related CO₂ emissions
• Increased deployment of alternative fuels and clean energy solutions
• Improved air quality and reduced environmental footprint
• Enhanced biodiversity and ecosystem protection
• More efficient and sustainable airport operations
• Stronger integration of airports into multimodal transport systems

The project contributes directly to the European Green Deal and the EU objective of climate neutrality by 2050.

Approach

OLGA combines two main action lines:

• Acceleration of environmental transition through deployment of innovative technologies and operational solutions
• Awareness and engagement, making environmental performance visible and involving passengers, stakeholders, and policymakers

The project integrates digital tools, new business models, and collaborative governance to ensure long-term impact and scalability.

Consortium

OLGA brings together a large and diverse consortium of 41 partners and 17 third parties, including:

• Airports and airport operators
• Airlines and aviation industry stakeholders
• Research organisations and universities
• Technology providers and innovative SMEs
• Public authorities and associations

This multidisciplinary collaboration ensures comprehensive coverage of the aviation ecosystem.

EU policy alignment

OLGA is aligned with key European initiatives, including:

• European Green Deal
• EU Climate Neutrality target (2050)
• Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy

The project is part of a broader group of EU-funded initiatives accelerating sustainable aviation, alongside projects such as STARGATE and TULIPS.

OLGA project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n° 101036871.